Dragon 1/72-scale HMMWV 1 + 1 Kit
(M1045 TOW and M1046 TOW w/ASK) (7296)
by Cookie Sewell
152 parts (130 in grey styrene, 12 in clear styrene, 8 in grey vinyl,
2 in etched brass); price US $11.95
Advantages: the TOW versions of the Humm-V get the DML twin kit treatment
Disadvantages: differences between variants hard to see; painting will
require care and forethought
Rating: Highly Recommended
Recommendation: for all "Hummer" fans and modern US modelers
DML continues with its "one plus one" – double –
kit of the HMMWV series with the M1045 or M1046 versions, better known
as the TOW carriers.
This one consists of the two base vehicles from Kit No. 7294 but with
all of the machine gun options removed from the sprues and in their place
two new sprue sets, one for the TOW launcher and turret mounting and the
other for the missile racks and stowage. The launcher is one of DML's
slide molded parts, so it is hollow all the way through. This helps if
you want to leave it unloaded, or a missile tube is provided for loading
it. Four spare tubes (six are shown on the rack ends, but since only four
will be seen, that's all you get) and the ground mount round out the TOW
parts.
The kit provides two different versions of the HMMWV, so the modeler
must pay close attention as it is difficult to tell them apart. The basic
M1025 body is identical to the M1045, e.g. without winch, other than the
internal bits for the TOW launcher and missile stowage. It has more slots
in the lower rock panel body moldings than the M1046 with winch version
fitted with ASK armor, so note that there are two body styles. Each vehicle
has a separate set of doors and windshields as well. Most of the rest
of the parts are interchangeable less the doors and roofs.
The chassis is well detailed but only takes a few assemblies to complete,
and compliments go to DML's engineers for that work. Each vehicle has
a shifter and case selector lever as well as a SINCGARS radio and KY-57
crypto box provided for it as well (part A13, one assembly in the front
seat area.)
Some things from the earlier kits have been corrected. Originally the
tailgate could be positioned opened or closed, but the "turtleback"
hatch above was fixed. Now that part is provided separately (D2) so the
interior can be displayed. However, the headlights still come as grey
styrene even though separate parts; I personally recommend replacing them
with MV Lenses or similar parts, but at least DML has been kind enough
to have the mounts pre-drilled for you.
The tires are in a grey vinyl type plastic, so they will have to be painted.
I do not have much experience with how well this works, but there have
been problems with DML vinyl tires on their 1/35 kits when painted that
appears to lead to cracking. However, given their recent DS vinyl product,
this may no longer be a problem.
Finishing options are provided for two vehicles in Iraq, both in "Euro"
tricolor, but the M1046 has sand color ASK upgrade parts. Note that there
are two decal sheets with this kit, one for the missiles and one for the
vehicle. Both are rather extensive for this scale.
Overall these are nice appealing models that should compliment the other
DML kits for Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Thanks to Freddie Leung of DML for the review samples.
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